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she was mugged after the funeral

vader
vader
I am writing this column about a subject that is dear to me.It is called Personal Safety...so many seniors today dont practice it and I am writing this column because my friend was mugged at the atm in broad daylight right after the funeral! She took out 1,000 dollars and this person was right behind her..This was done at 11 0 clock in the morning and now she is short until the 3rd.When she went to the ATM she noticed that there was a line,,which is unusual for the bank was opened.I think it is because that they were redoing the carpet and the door to the front was blocked.But I was the only person in line who wasnt bothered by this creep.This person who did this was later caught thanks to the good eyewitness and for one alert person who copied down the license plate.Everyone saw this fight.He had a knife and demanded the money.She refused and he pushed her to the ground and took the money.Now the son in law wants to leave seattle! Thi s rarely happens.But if you are the victime of a mugging,....this is what the safety people told me...Dont talk to the person doing the crime.Observe.Observe all of their facial characterisics and observe.This is important.She started to yell at him..and this angered him,but during this time she refused to give him the purse.Did she do something wrong? Now let me tell all of you wonderful people in Daily Strength.I was almost the victim of an assault and I will tell you what happened.It was 6 o clock on a sunday morning and I was walking to Starbucks.Every Sunday I met John for coffee and we hang out until it is time to go to church.As I was walking to Starbucks....I heard footsteps in back of me.I turned and it was a short stocky man and next to him was a person who was wearing a hoodie with dark sunglasses which I thought was odd because it was 6 o clock in the morning like i said.The stocky man asked me for the time.I replied"I am going to starbucks." Then the other man with the hoodie said.." I know you.You are a bell ringer for the Salvation Army." Then he said to the stocky man..."She is a bell ringer for the salvation army.She is poor.Leave her alone.Let her be." Then the stock man spoke to me and said...Please be careful.. I told what happened in starbucks and they wanted to call the police.The next day I found out that a 64 year old womans purse was stolen at the bus stop.I dont know if it was these two people,but apparently they recognized me from my salvationarmy work.My friend wants me to go to the police.Why? It was so dark I couldnt see the stocky mans face.And we all know what happens to some innocent people.Now I have a question..suppose you are on line at the atm and a homeless person is begging for money...what should I do? I always go in the bank with my checks.I only use the atm in the daytime and I know that there will other people around.My friend has got a very bag habit..She always put her purse on the floor.We were in safeway.she put her purse in the shopping cart and was walking the around the store! She wallet was found minus cash in the ladies room.I had to pay for the groceries which wasnt much.And as for m e...I dont have my name on the mailbox and i dont have my name on the house.My answering machine is in Brads voice and I have got caller id.As for my friend..I dont know what to tell her.I dont enter any of these sweepstakes and when people call i dont know I dont answer the phone.They have to leave a machine.But what
would any of you would do if someone was begging for money? He pulled a big knife on her and she was almost hurt.She told me that she neeed money for gas..but 1,000.00! I dont believe she needed that much.Ladies,,I am begging you funerals are wrenching.But always have money and food in the house on that day.,please to wind up in a hospital is very heartbreaking.And some people can be mean even on the day of the funeral.Please dont reveal any personal information about yourself to people you do not know and always hace a cell phone and change ready.I would like your comments.How can I help my friend now?
deleted_user
deleted_user
vader,
I am so sorry to hear about your friends mugging. How awful and tragic. I am glad she's okay though. You ask what you can do to help her now. I think back on the first 6 months after my sisters murder. It was traumatic. I was frightened. We didn't know who did this to my sister. I became very aware of my personal safety, I still am. Your friend may suffer a some kind of post traumatic stress from all of this. You can help by calling her, seeing if she needs anything. don't wait for her to call you, she may not want to bother anyone. I had friends and some family stop by the house to see me. They always knew to call first as I didn't and still don't answer the door for anyone unless they call me first. I am still very uncomfortable in the dark, outside. I brave through it, carrying my pepperspray and a weapon in my purse. I keep my car doors locked until I reach my destination, then I only unlock them when I have gather everything from the car and then I get to the house or store as quickly as possible. During the day, I pretty much take the same precautions.
Personal safety is a big issue with me. I tend to preach about it! I see people, both men and women everyday, that are clueless to what is around them. I'm sure like many, they think something bad won't happen to them. That only happens to other people.
Sorry to say, it can and does happen to anyone.
I often think about my sister Sandy. If she would have survived the attack how she would have changed her habits. She would have change all of her habits and been so much more aware of her own safety. Her tragic death taught me and several of her friends and family that lesson.
So, I think you should call your friend. Let her talk about what happened. Let her talk about any fears she may be having. Just listen and offer to go out with her when she's ready to brave the world again.
Just my thoughts.
Shirley
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am shaking after reading this. I am so glad you were not hurt and your friend was not hurt. It also upsets me that the bank had repairs going on that put their customers on the outside and there was no security guard posted at the machine! I was once robbed at gun point. A friend of mine owned a store. She called me and asked if I could lock up for her because she had a bad headache and didn't want to close the store early. I did and five minutes before closing a man walked in in July wearing a jacket and cap. He asked to use the phone and I said I'm not supposed to but if you make it quick and don't come behind the counter. When I bent to get the phone he pulled out a sawed off shot gun. He got the money then said stand against the wall and close your eyes. I said, buddy you can have the money. But I have two babies next door and if you think you are going to shoot me, you are going to have a fight on your hands. I slammed my fist down (I have no idea why) and the glass counter shattered. Now I am NOT a strong woman or a fighter and I KNOW that glass should have been okay. How many six packs had been dropped on it? How many kids climbed on it? God must have done it and God must have put that thought in my mind because I would never have thought to fight a man with a gun. When that glass shattered that guy ran for the hills. Now I am going to tell you the rest and it is funny but please don't think I am making light of your post, this is what happened. I called the police and said a man with a shotgun just robbed me. Then I called next door and told my husband. My husband grabs our shotgun and runs over. I take the kids and he goes running outside to see if he can catch the guy who had left on foot. He goes to the back of the building and is bent down looking in a ditch. The police arrive and see a man with a shotgun in the ditch and throw my husband to the ground and cuff him. They come in and say ma'am we got him, please come outside and identify the robber. I step outside and they have my husband! It wasn't funny then but it is now. Anyway that was what happened to me. Since that day I am very careful when someone is around me that doesn't look right. I have no problem leaving my place in line or my basket of food. I have no problem going to the customer service desk and asking for security to walk me out. If I have to go out at night, I go in a group and if all else fails my husband has a fire arm permit to wear a gun on his belt. People will walk away when they see him with a visible 38. It is sad to say this is the world we live in.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry this happened to you and your friend. Yes, personal safety is a big problem now. What can I say? I live in Mexico so shootouts and muggings are very frequent. You just have to be very aware of your surroundings. Avoid ATMs if possible unless they are inside an establishment and like Sandyslilsis said, let your friend express her feelings. This will help her assimilate the experience.

Please take care
Hugs....